The Latest: Uber, Lyft hail order blocking Seattle union law

SEATTLE (AP) — The Latest on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocking Seattle's law allowing drivers of ride-hailing companies to unionize (all times local):

2:55 p.m.

The ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft are cheering an appeals court order that temporarily blocks a Seattle law letting their drivers unionize.

Three judges from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday blocked the city from implementing the law pending a challenge filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The judges did not offer their reasoning for doing so.

Brooke Steger, Uber's general manager for the Pacific Northwest, says the appeals court's decision will give it "time to hear from all parties and carefully consider the unique questions" raised by Seattle's law.

The companies argue that the city's measure conflicts with federal law.

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2:42 p.m.

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked Seattle's first-in-the-nation law allowing drivers of ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to unionize over pay and working conditions.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Friday it was blocking the law pending an appeal by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which challenged the law on behalf of the companies.

U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik rejected two different challenges to the law last month and said he would let it take effect.

The 2015 law requires companies that hire or contract with drivers of taxis, for-hire transportation companies and app-based services to bargain with them if a majority show they want to be represented.

2017-09-08 21:56:35 GMT

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